The future of the Gower ponies grazing the cliffs of Rhossili hangs in the balance after a dispute erupted between a local farmer and the National Trust. For generations, the Beynon family’s horses have roamed the heathland overlooking South Wales’ iconic coastline — a sight loved by locals and visitors alike. Now, a National Trust order demanding their removal has sparked outrage across the farming community and beyond.
Rhossili, South Wales, famous for its picturesque landscape and the horses and ponies which graze the heathland, has become the centre of controversy between a local farmer and the National Trust.
The Beynon family have farmed land around Rhossilli for generations, their heritage rooted in the land which attracts tourists to the picturesque landscape all year round. Their horses and ponies are seen as a symbol of local traditions and an important part of the landscape’s natural farming balance, which is now reportedly under threat after the National Trust ordered Nicky Beynon to remove his animals by 1st December, unless he can prove grazing rights over the land.
Correspondence from the National Trust arrived unexpectedly through Nicky’s letter box, allegedly citing concerns from residents regarding his gypsy cob ponies, which has understandably caused consternation to the farming family, Nicky said “Out of the blue I received a very heavy handed letter that the stallion be removed in five days and I had until 1st December to prove I have grazing rights and could be overgrazing, so remove the horses.” He went on to explain that “There have been issues with the ponies escaping through the footpath gate all summer. People just holding the gate open, consequently the ponies learnt the grass in the (National Trust operated) car park field was sweet.” Obviously to the ponies, tastier on the other side….. According to Nicky, the National Trust is responsible for maintaining safe and suitable boundaries, which he says have not been properly managed. He claims that gates are often left open by visitors, allowing the ponies to wander into nearby areas of Rhossili.
However, the timing of this letter, has naturally caused distress to the Beynon family, “Our family land has commoner rights, but it is still in Dad’s name,” Nicky explained, unfortunately “He died last year and it is still being sorted out with my brother and sisters. As you can imagine, it felt like a real low blow.” Nicky’s father, Ernie Beynon, was a well-known and respected local farmer who owned ponies on Rhosilli common for decades. His passing leaving his son to continue the family’s long-standing tradition of owning ponies, who graze freely across the open cliffs as the family has done for generations. Despite the National Trust directive, Nicky says he has no plans to move the ponies until proper communication is established with the National Trust, to better understand the issues and reach an amicable and equitable resolution. “I also have grazing rights on my land and on land I rent. I have no plans to remove the ponies until they (National Trust) have the decency to contact me,” he said.
Fellow farmer and close friend Robert Morgan, who helps Nicky care for the ponies throughout the year, said the National Trust’s demand had come “quite out of the blue.” He described how the news had caused “a lot of stress” for Nicky at an already busy time for farmers preparing for winter.
Robert said that while much of the surrounding land is now owned by the National Trust, it remains common grazing, with local farmers like himself, Nicky, and others in the area holding established rights. He believes the issue stems partly following Ernie Beynon’s death. “Sadly, Nicky’s father passed away. Ernie was a close friend of mine, taught me a lot,” Robert said. “But the grazing rights were with his father, so I think they’ve gone really through the back door trying to tell Nicky now that he’s got no rights for these horses.” Robert described this as his perspective on the situation, and did not claim to speak for the National Trust.
Both men stress that the ponies are far more than a picturesque part of Rhossili’s landscape. Their year- round grazing plays an essential role in maintaining the delicate ecosystem of the landscape. Rhossili is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest a SSSI which supports a complex biodiversity of flora and fauna and number of protected species, which the horses play an important part in contributing to. Robert said the ponies “create a microclimate” through their grazing, benefiting fungi, small wildlife, and birds such as peregrine falcons that hunt in the cleared areas. Their presence also keeps coastal footpaths open, preventing overgrowth. “Many Gower paths are just overgrown through lack of grazing,” he explained. “You can see how the horses benefit the cliffs. They’re not just here to look pretty.” For locals and visitors, the Rhossili ponies have become a much-loved part of Gower life. Robert described how people stop to talk with Nicky while watching the animals, and how the sight of them “changes a day” for many who visit the cliffs.
But beyond the scenic appeal, the dispute has come to symbolise wider tensions between Rhossili’s farming community and the National Trust. Robert said many local farmers feel they are being “pushed around” as traditional farmland is increasingly absorbed into the Trust ownership. “Years ago there’d be ten farming families here, all thriving,” he said. “Slowly, farming is dying out, and the Trust is slowly taking over, we’re standing up now, people see Rhossili as the home of the horses.”
The situation has sparked strong reactions, with worldwide social media posts calling for the ponies to stay. Thousands of farmers, fans of the area and residents alike have rallied behind Nicky, seeing the animals as both an environmental asset and a symbol of Gower’s rural identity.
After the phenomenal outcry, National Trust have been forced to issue a public statement on the social media platform X which said,
“Following complaints about a stallion, which is part of the herd of horses on the common, we have written to the commoner who owns the horse asking them to move it elsewhere due to public safety concerns. We are also reviewing the number of horses currently grazing on the common, which we believe exceeds the agreed limit in the commoner’s rights to graze. Our priority is to ensure the safety of visitors, the welfare of the grazing animals and the ecological health of Rhosili, we are therefore engaging with the owner of the horses to further understand the number that can remain on the common.”
Following this public statement made by the National Trust, the Trust have now arranged to meet with Nicky on Monday 3rd November, 2025.
Please note: All accounts and statements attributed to individuals are as reported by them.
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Daily Mail Online https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15241207/National-Trust-farmer-horses-coastal-safety-ancient.html
LBC https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/farmer-national-trust-horses-cliff-5HjdG9Q_2/
